Maker Studios recruits AOL’s Lewis and Yahoo’s Pan

Disney-owned Maker Studios has added former AOL Studios head Gabriel Lewis – who announced his departure on Friday – and Yahoo programming veteran Bonnie Pan to its Original Content programming division.

Lewis (pictured) is Maker’s new executive vice-president of development and strategy, while Pan joins as executive vice-president, programming. Both will report to chief content officer Erin McPherson.

As VP of AOL Studios and AOL Originals, Lewis served as the driving force behind the company’s programming strategy, assisting in the development of its advertiser-friendly celebrity-rich short-form shows, including Nicole Richie’s #CandidlyNicole and Steve Buscemi’s Park Bench.

Lewis will now be responsible for nurturing Maker’s pipeline of 200-plus original projects in development, working with the multi-channel network’s top YouTube talent while developing partnerships in Hollywood.

Pan, formerly head of originals and programming at Yahoo, rejoins fellow former Yahoo exec McPherson at Maker. Pan was responsible for resurrecting Community via Yahoo Screen and picking up two series from Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) and Mike Tollin (One Tree Hill).

Pan also led the programming and development of projects including Tom Hanks’ Electric City and The Bachelor spoof Burning Love. She will be responsible for expanding the 23 content verticals at Maker, as well as building out programming under the umbrellas of family, entertainment, life and style, gaming and sports.